Method for stabilizing spine

Abstract

A method of stabilizing a portion of a spine includes pivoting first and second members of an expandable spinal implant relative to one another to a closed configuration in which the spinal implant has a compact profile, inserting the spinal implant in the closed configuration into the spine between first and second vertebral bodies, and pivoting the first and second members crosswise to an expanded configuration while the spinal implant is within the spine. The first and second members are separate from and coupled to one another.

1. A method of stabilizing a portion of a spine, the method comprising:
 pivoting a first member of an expandable spinal implant relative to a second member of the expandable spinal implant in a first direction about a rotation axis to a closed configuration in which the spinal implant has a compact profile, the first and second members separate from and coupled to one another via first and second member mateable central portions; said central portions having an orientation substantially parallel to said rotation axis; 
 inserting the spinal implant in the closed configuration into the spine between first and second vertebral bodies; 
 pivoting the first member relative to the second member in a second direction about the rotation axis to an expanded generally X-shaped configuration while the spinal implant is within the spine, the second direction being opposite the first direction; and 
 preventing further pivoting of the first member relative to the second member about the rotation axis by operation of a locking member, said locking member extending substantially from within said central portion that expands radially from a collapsed position to a neutral position when the first and second members are pivoted from the closed configuration to the expanded configuration. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein operation of the locking member prevents pivoting of the first member relative to the second member. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging at least one of the first and second vertebral bodies with a plurality of circumferentially arranged grooves cooperatively defined by the first and second members in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying pressure to the locking member to return the locking member to the collapsed position thereby permitting relative pivoting of the first and second members about the rotation axis. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second members includes first and second arms extending substantially equidistant from first and second member mateable central member. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second arms of each of the first and second members are substantially parallel to and spaced apart from one another in the closed configuration. 
     
     
       7. A method of stabilizing a portion of a spine, the method comprising:
 providing a spinal implant comprising a first member and a second member in a closed configuration in which the spinal implant has a compact profile, the first and second members separate from and pivotably coupled to one another via first and second member mateable central portions; 
 inserting the spinal implant in the closed configuration into the spine between first and second vertebral bodies; 
 pivoting the first member relative to the second member about a rotation axis by operation of a pivot member, substantially received within said central portions, said central portions having an orientation substantially parallel to said rotation axis until the spinal implant is in an expanded generally X-shaped configuration while the spinal implant is within the spine; and 
 upon the spinal implant achieving said expanded configuration, a locking member moving from a collapsed position to a neutral position in which the first and second members are prohibited from pivoting relative to one another about the rotation axis. 
 
     
     
       8. A method of stabilizing a portion of a spine, the method comprising:
 pivoting a first member of an expandable spinal implant relative to a second member of the expandable spinal implant via first and second member mateable central portions in a first direction about a rotation axis substantially parallel to said first and second member mateable central portions to a first configuration in which the spinal implant has a compact profile; 
 inserting the spinal implant in the first configuration into the spine between first and second vertebral bodies; 
 pivoting the first member relative to the second member in a second direction about the rotation axis to a second X-shaped configuration while the spinal implant is within the spine, the second direction being opposite the first direction; and 
 preventing further pivoting of the first member relative to the second member about the rotation axis by operation of a locking member received within said first and second member mateable central portions that expands radially from a first position to a neutral position when the first and second members are pivoted from the first configuration to the expanded generally X-shaped second configuration.